Tesla driver charged with manslaughter in Texas crash

The man whose Tesla struck and killed a woman inside her Texas home last month is now facing manslaughter charges, as reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal and local news outlet KHOU 11. 44-year-old Michael Butler was arrested on Wednesday and claimed to have been driving his Model 3 using Tesla's Full-Self Driving (FSD) system at the time of the crash, according to an arrest affidavit. The court document includes the officer saying that data extraction from Butler's phone found several FSD-related Google searches from May 2026: "Tesla fsd not aggressive enough 2026 model," "tesla fsdnot [sic] aggressive enough 2026," "tesla fsdnot [s … Butler's case raises questions about the safety and liability of Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems, particularly FSD.

As the investigation continues, it will be important to examine the role of the technology in the crash and whether Butler's use of FSD contributed to the tragic outcome. The charges against Butler mark a rare instance of a driver being held criminally responsible for a crash involving a semi-autonomous vehicle. This case may have implications for the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies, as well as the responsibilities of drivers who use these systems.

The incident highlights the need for clear guidelines and regulations around the use of advanced driver-assistance systems, as well as ongoing scrutiny of their safety and effectiveness. As the use of these technologies becomes more widespread, it is essential to consider the potential risks and consequences, and to ensure that drivers, manufacturers, and regulators are held accountable for their role in promoting safe and responsible innovation. Why this matters: This case has significant implications for the development and deployment of autonomous driving technologies.

As more vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems take to the road, the industry will be closely watching how regulators and courts handle cases like Butler's. The outcome may influence how manufacturers design and market their systems, and how drivers use them. It also raises questions about liability and accountability in cases where technology is involved.

For developers, this means a renewed focus on safety and transparency in their designs. For businesses, it may mean reevaluating their policies around the use of autonomous systems. And for consumers, it underscores the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of the technologies they use.